N00497:135
Blessed unions. An union with the son of God by faith. And, an union…
Blessed unions. An union with the son of God by faith. And, an union in the church of God by love, importunately pressed; in a discourse which makes divers offers, for those unions; together with a copy of those articles, where-upon a most happy union, has been lately made between those two eminent parties in England, which have now changed the names of Presbyterians, and Congregationals, for that of United Brethren. / By Cotton Mather ; [Six lines from Mead]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1692
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
IV. Of Communion of Churches.
1. WE Agree, that Particular Churches ought not to walk so distinct & separate from each other, as not to have care & tenderness towards one another. But their Pastors ought to have frequent meetings together, that by mutual Advice, Support Encouragement, and Brotherly intercourse, they may strengthen the hearts and hands of each other in the ways of the Lord.
2. That none of our Particular Churches shall be subordinate to one another; each being endued with equality of Power from Jesus Christ. And that none of the said particular Churches, their Officer, or Officers, shall exercise any Power, or have any Superiority over any other Church, or their Officers.
3. That Known Members of particular ⟨p. 9⟩Churches, constituted as aforesaid, •ay have occasional Communion with one another in the Ordinances of the Gospel, viz. the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Singing Psalms, dispensed according to the mind of Christ: Unless that Church with which they desire Communion, hath any just exception against them.